Al-Dabbagh :Final Statement for ICI Meeting

Date: November 07^th, 2009

       Ali Aldabbagh the GOI Spokesman had Cleared the final Statement for the High Level Meeting on  a new Partnership  Between Iraq and the International Community held in Baghdad on 7^th Nov. 2009

The Government of Iraq and representatives from the international community held, on the 7th November 2009 in Baghdad, a high level meeting on the development of a new partnership between Iraq and the international community.

They discussed Iraq’s economic and social policy directions for the years ahead (deriving from ICI priorities) presented by the Government of Iraq, a review of ICI achievements and assessment of progress of the reform agenda, policy coordination and partnership with the international community, and forward steps for national planning, reform, and interaction between the Government of Iraq and the international community.

They agreed that the ICI has been a valuable vehicle in providing international support to the people of Iraq in a period of political transition and economic reconstruction.

They also considered that the success of the ICI and the changing Iraqi context characterized by consolidated sovereignty, stability and relations with the international community called for a new framework of cooperation between Iraq and its partners. This new partnership would be geared toward the consolidation of the development process and the full normalization of Iraq’s international status, be based on a full Iraqi ownership, a sustainable and more consolidated national strategic planning led by the Government of Iraq, and a more efficient international support to Iraq in direct response to the Government of Iraq’s articulated national priorities.

They agreed that this new partnership will be built upon progress achieved by Iraq during recent years and areas of success of the ICI in accelerating the consolidation of Iraq's peace, security, the promotion of regional and international cooperation and integration, and prosperity for the Iraqi people. As Iraq moves to the next stage and prepares its National Development Plan (NDP) including the requirements and needs for international support, suitable mechanisms should be put in place to support progress on a basis of mutual commitment.

Subject to confirmation by the new government after the elections, they agreed in principle to engage with the new government to further define the basis of this new partnership between Iraq and the international community. Representatives of the international community expressed their readiness to support the Government of Iraq in fulfilling its priorities, particularly in relation to the implementation of the NDP and other relevant policy strategies and cooperation frameworks.

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